Homebirth with Low Platelets of 98

[joey827]

I am 40+2 and have had a homebirth planned. My platelets have been intermittent and have slowly got lower and lower and have now gone below the threshold of 100. They have said they now need to recommend a hospital birth and I really just don't know what to do, I have so geared myself up to have a homebirth now that I really don't want to go into hospital.
This is my second pregnancy and no problem with platelets with the first so don't know if that has any bearing on anything.
Also I had a 3rd degree tear last time so obviously that was another reason against a homebirth but they were happy to go ahead without that causing an issue.
Has anyone else had a homebirth with platelets below 100? also any advice would be great

Thanks

[Pippin8]

I havent experienced this. But I can see why it wouldn't be advised, as there are implications if you tear or bleed after the birth.

Ultimately, it's your decision whether or not to go ahead with the home birth. No-one can force you to go into hospital & you should be supported in your choice whatever that may be. Is an mlu a compromise you're willing to make?
I suggest you find out who your local supervisor of midwives is & call her to discuss. You can do this tonight or tomorrow, they are on call. Just phone your out of hours number or the local labour ward & they'll be able to give you her number.

Good luck whatever you decide.

[Zsazsabinks]

With DD2 my platelets were casually heading into the danger zone and I swapped to go into the CLU, they were at something like 112. Personally I felt that hemorrhage was so dangerous and could happen just so fast that it wasn't worth any risk (that's bearing in mind as well that they can happen regardless, so add a risk factor onto that). Transferring after the baby is born also means that you have to have two ambulances as baby has to go in a different one. There's the fact that I had DD1 to consider, how frightening it would be for her and for me if things did go wrong so very suddenly, it wasn't really just a decision about the birth that I wanted and one baby it was a decision to be made in the best interests of my whole little family.

I don't know, it's your decision obviously and my thought is that you should absolutely make your own but just because you asked for advice that was my thought process about it all. I know it's a bit scaremongery and I apologise for that, but they are real risks and these things can happen fast.

I wish you all the very, very best for a fantastic birth and with this decision too.

[joey827]

Thank you for your advice and replies! thankfully my platelets were checked again and they have gone up to 108! so homebirth still ok to go ahead as planned!
Just waiting for the little man to make an appearance!

[Zsazsabinks]

Hooray! Well done platelets!

Good luck for the birth. Come on baby Joey!

[Pippin8]

Aww, great news. Positive birthing vibes heading your way! X